Vernal Equinox Blackstar Ride

Ride Name:Vernal Equinox Blackstar Ride When:Tuesday, March 20th Time:5:30 PM Where:Xmas Tree Farm on Blackstar Canyon Rd Ride Description or Details:Continuing in my theme of doing a group ride on seasonal dates...
As this date will be the official vernal equinox (9:15 am on 03/20) in our Northern Hemisphere, let's do another Blackstar ride.
Us slower folks will be starting at 5:30 to make it to Beek's by 7:30.
Faster people can start later or do extra credit past Beek's place.
The goal is to meet at Beek's at 7:30 and toast the vernal equinox. And perform whatever solstice or pagan rituals you feel like. (Please, no human or animal sacrifices).

Lights will be needed as we will have just a 10% illumination waxing crescent moon - if it's clear.
http://www.moongiant.com/phase/03/20/2018

Sunset is at 7:03 pm, so just before we get to Beek's.

Any significant rain on the day or preceding days will cancel as none of use want that Blackstar clay. ~~~~~ Optional Details ~~~~~Meet Location:Xmas Tree Farm on Blackstar Canyon Rd , near the intersection with Silverado Canyon Rd, which is near its' intersection with Santiago Canyon Rd. Skill Level:Beginner, Intermediate, AdvancedRide Pace:Social CruiseType of Ride:Out and BackRider Limit:Probably limited to a few hundred due to parking. Anticipated Mileage:18 Elevation Gain:2200 Ride Duration:3 hours Previous Ride Reports:http://www.imtbtrails.com/forum/threads/unofficial-almost-end-of-summer-blackstar-ride.6489/

https://www.strava.com/activities/1159364224 Possible Bail-Outs:Turn around and go back, but you'll be missing out. Facilities:Probably no drinkable water on trail. The world is our restroom, just don't pee near a stream. Food/water suggestions:Most get by on a bottle of water or so. Snacks if you want. Maybe a beer or two or something to toast the equinox at Beek's. Option to Upload:

Not a bad idea @mike I've done BStar for these because it is not that difficult for some of the newb's I try to get out there; plenty of free parking; and relatively easy to get to after work.
Maple Springs might be a decent option if the weekend stays totally wet.

A day out and I'm calling it still a go. Too hard to herd all the cats to change plans too much at this point.
Weather looks kinda dicey and uneven.
Weather Underground has rain at about 20% near my house in Lake Forest with .01 inches.
NWS says 50% with less than a tenth of an inch.
NWS for Beek's says 60% with .25 to .5 inch possible. "Rain likely, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 52. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible."

That is probably the absolute worst amount of rain to have in Blackstar, could make it the most sticky.

My three options are at this point
Plan A - Meet and roll at 5:30 with or without some sprinkles
Plan B - If solid rain, maybe caravan at 5:30 to Maple Springs and try to ride
Plan C - If solid rain and we are wimps, hang out at the Xmas tree farm, tell stories and drink a beer.

All plans involve being at the Xmas tree farm ready to roll at 5:30 - see you there.

I made it to the farm at 5:30 pm after returning home having forgotten my phone. I didn't have much time being a newbie to say hello and introduce myself but I was able to meet some of you including Faust29, Greg and Mark. ( I'm still confused about Greg's chain drive system ) This was my first night ride on a mountain bike. I had decent lighting but not great lighting. I've ordered a Bright Eyes 1600 light to try out for future rides. At one point I looked up and saw a string of lights coming down the hill. I thought that was pretty cool. I swept one corner ( into the hillside ) wide. Left hand hairpin turn. Go figure.. I can't turn left to save my life! That was my only mistake coming down the hill. I appreciate the help/ advice I've received from you all since getting into mountain biking this past summer! Let's ride!